Toy clothes washing machines



Jan. 3, 1956 c. D. HARRELL TOY CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16, 1951 INVENTOR. gfiar/as B Farrel] 00 1444 42 Jan. 3, 1956 c. D. HARRELL TOY CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1951 HI [H 7 INVENTOR.

g/zarjes fl Harrell mg% tews Pa ent V TOY CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 1 Walter Rockford, Tenm. Application March 16, 11951,:Serial No. 216,007

" in rose-1a) This I invention relates. oii rnprovemlents in toy clothes washing machines and'more particularly to a toy adapted for educational purposes to teachfa child the manner These objects maybe-accomplishedby providing areceptacle of "diminutivesize such as may be used by a child, bothfor educationaland amusement purposes, to hold a body-of water for washing either clothes or dishes therein. Mounted at one side of the receptacle is a rotary agitator constructed. for creating .a'splashing action in the water, to simulate:the normalewashing action obtained in a clothes or dish washing hine. This agitator preferably is di-iven 'by an electricmotor or other power means and it is preferred that it be located substantially at the water level, or just below the water level to improve the type of action obtained thereby.

Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of toy washing machine embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a motor cover member detached from the casing of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the agitator;

Fig. 4a is a cross section therethrough;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the machine on the line 5-5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a modified form of toy washing machine of the combined dish washing and sink type;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section therethrough on the line 7-7 in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section therethrough on the line 8-8 in Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the toy machine illustrated may be of the type adapted for Washing clothes, such as doll clothes and the like. This machine includes a casing generally designated by the numeral 1, which may be formed of plastic or other suitable material, forming a circumferential enclosure with an upright partition 2 therein separating the casing 1 into respective compartments generally designated at 3 and 4. This casing preferably is formed of molded plastic material.

The compartment 3 is adapted to receive a body of water and preferably is formed with a transparent window 5 in one side thereof when the body of the casing is formed of opaque material. It is contemplated, how- 2,729,087 Patented Jan. 3, 1956 ever, that the body may be formed of transparent plastic for full visibility of the action that takes place therein.

The size of the casing 1 may be varied as desired, although it should be sufiiciently diminutive so as to have an attractive appeal for small children. It has been constructed of a height of from four to six inches as an example which may be manufactured at low cost and yet provide the practical and entertaining characteristics desired.

The water compartment 3 preferably is formed with a surrounding rim 6 adjacent. the top thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, adapted to receive a cover 7 which is removably fitted in place.

Mounted at one side of the water compartment 3 is an agitator generally indicated at 8 having a plurality of ribs 9 on theface thereof toward the interior of the compartment 3, which ribs converge inwardly toward the axis of the agitator 8. This is shown more clearly in Fig. 4a. Such an agitator located at or adjacent the water level in the compartment 3, with at least a portion of the agitator projecting above the water level, will create a substantial splashing action in the body of water simulating the action which takes place in an actual washing machine, thereby aifording instruction as well as amusement for the child using the machine.

3 The agitator 8 is mounted on a drive shaft 10, journaled in a suitable water-tight bearing 11, in the partition 2, and extending into the motor compartment 4 of the casing. The drive motor is designated generally at 12, operatively connected with the drive shaft 10 either directly by the armature of the motor or through reduction gearing, as desired. Any suitable form of electric motor may be used, or other driving means. In the example illustrated the driving motor is adapted to be operated by the usual volt current of a household wiring circuit with which ,it may be connected through an extension cord 13.

i The motor compartment 4 is adapted to be enclosed on one side by a removale plate 14, slidably interfitting at 15 with the adjacent portion of the casing 1. The interfitting connection 15 is of the tongue and groove type,

although any suitable means may be used for interconmeeting these parts. A cover plate 16 is connected with the removable side 14 to close the top of the compartment 4. In this Way the section 14-16 may be removed readily to gain access to the electric motor 12, or other drive means enclosed within the compartment 4.

It will be apparent that the size of the toy makes it readily adaptable for the amusement and instruction of children, training them in the art of washing clothes and other articles and enabling the children to wash doll dresses and the like Within this machine. The water receptacle 3 should be filled to the prescribed water level upon removal of the top 7. The articles to be washed may be inserted into the receptacle 3 and the top replaced. Then the motor 12 should be started to operate the agitator 3. The latter rotates within the body of water at one side of the compartment 3 to create a splashing action therein simulating the washing action in a machine. This agitation will be suflicient to circulate the clothes and other articles around through the water for the amusement of a child, as well as the training thereof by demonstrating a Washing action.

If it be desired, the invention may be applied to a dish washing machine instead of a clothes washing machine, also of diminutive size. An example of a toy dish washer is illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 and applied to a combination dish washer and sink.

In this embodiment the casing is designated generally at 21 and may be constructedalso of a suitable plastic, either partly or entirely transparent, as desired. This casing 21 is separated by a partition 22 extending transversely thereof and dividing the casing into a washer compartment 23 and a motor compartment 24. A removable cover 25 normally closes the top of the compartment 23 and may be transparent to observe the washing action that takes place in the compartment 23.

The casing 21 includes a depressed portion 26 over the motor compartment 24, which simulates the sink. This recess 26 preferably is. sealed and is adapted to receive and contain water therein. A splash board is shown at 27, extending along the length of the casing 21 at the back of the compartments, also to simulate a natural combination sink and dish washer. A projection is shown at 23, over the sink 26, representing a faucet. A hose 28' may be connected, if desired, with the faucet 28 to supply water to the sink.

Mounted within the water compartment 23 is an agitator 29 shown as constructed in the same manner as the agitator 5, described above. The agitator 29 is driven by an electric motor 30, located within the motor compartment 24, substantially as described above with respect to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5. The motor compartment 24 may be open at the bottom for access to the motor, or it may be closed by a removable cover plate 24, if desired.

This form of the invention operates in the same manner as described above. The compartment 23 may be filled to the desired water level with water and dishes, or other articles may be placed therein to simulate a natural washing action as well as for the amusement of children. A suitable dish receptacle or holder may be provided in the compartment 23. The action can be observed through the transparent top 25, or the transparent sides according to the construction of the casing. Either doll clothes or toy dishes, or other articles may be washed in the compartment in this form of the invention, providing a highly diversified type of amusement as well as instruction for children.

In either form of the invention as illustrated, the toy can be constructed at low cost due to its simplicity, and yet provides for the effective amusement as well as instruction of children.

Any suitable or desired material may be used for the construction of this toy machinef o'r parts thereof, including metal, glass, etc., and the invention is not restricted to the use of plastic as described.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certain embodiments, it is recognized that variations 4 and changes may be made therein, without departing from the invention, except as specified in the claim.

I claim:

A toy washing machine comprising a casing having a bottom, upstanding surrounding walls about three sides of the casing, and a transverse upstanding partition between opposite side wallsandcooperating therewith to enclose a water compartment at one side of the partition and a motor compartment at the opposite side thereof within the casing, the side of said motorcompartment opposite said partition having an openingtherein, the opposite side walls of the casing having inturned flanges defining opposite sides of said opening, aremovable plate for said opening, means forming sliding connections between the opposite edges of said plate and the inturned flanges, a cover plate rigid with the removable plate and of greater length transversely of the removable plate than the width of said plate substantially closing the space .between the opposite side walls and between the removable plate and the partition, a motor mounted in the motor compartment and having, a shaft extending through the partition, and an agitator on the shaft in the water compartment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 211,598 Shidel Jan. 21, 1879 1,253,536 Schneider Jan. 15, 1918 1,607,484 Schlumpf Nov.. 16, 1926 1,756,599 Kraney, Apr. 29,1930 1,807,677 Torson June 2, 1931 2,119,254 Whiteley May- 31, 1938 2,267,351 Gohl Dec. 23, 1941 2,303,468 James Dec. 1, 1942 2,478,188 Gibsone Aug; 9, 1949 2,532,083 Brenner Nov. 28, 1950 2,556,490 Chamberlin June .12, 1951 2,612,769 Castner Oct. 7, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 627,061 Great Britain July 27, 1949 

